Zoagli
Zoagli, a charming village on the Ligurian coast
Hello friends, today I'll tell you about Zoagli, a charming coastal village located in the metropolitan city of Genoa, in Liguria. With its 2297 inhabitants, Zoagli is one of the smallest cities in Liguria, but no less interesting.
Physical geography
Zoagli is located on the Ligurian coast, east of Genoa, between the coastal municipalities of Rapallo and Chiavari. The territory of Zoagli is dominated by mountains, including Mount Castello, Mount Groppo, Mount Zuccarello, Mount Carmelo, and Mount Anchetta. It is famous for its pedestrian cliff overlooking the sea, built in the 1930s with the financial contribution of its inhabitants. Moreover, the territory of Zoagli is rich in wooded natural paths, characteristic Crêuza and mule tracks that allow from the city center to reach the fractions and places of the municipality.
One of the most interesting paths, following the ancient Roman road, is called "of the five bell towers" because it connects the ancient factional churches of the Church of San Pietro, Semorile, Church of San Pantaleo, Sant'Ambrogio and the central one of the Church of San Martino for a total of about twelve kilometers. A further forest trail allows you to reach the sanctuary of Our Lady of Montallegro, in the municipal territory of Rapallo, along the homonymous stream and overcoming the pass of Anchetta and Mount Castello.
History
Historical path
Like many Ligurian villages, Zoagli had its probable foundation in prehistoric times thanks to the population known as Ligurians. In Roman times, the town appears as a village or castle on the Via Aurelia, as evidenced by the appearance of the name on the Tabula Peutingeriana.
Zoagli then became a fiefdom of the noble family Fieschi in 1158 and, in the following centuries, was subject to the territorial control of the Republic of Genoa starting from the 13th century. In 1608, Zoagli entered the podesteria of Rapallo and subsequently in the captaincy of Rapallo. With the Napoleonic French domination, the city of Zoagli became a municipality of the department of the Gulf of Tigullio, with its capital in Rapallo, within the Ligurian Republic. In 1798, it returned to the II canton as the capital of the jurisdiction of Tigullio and, from 1803, to the II canton of the Gulf of Tigullio in the jurisdiction of Entella. During the annexation to the First French Empire from 1805 to 1814, Zoagli was included in the department of Appennini.
In 1815, Zoagli became part of the Kingdom of Sardinia, according to the decisions of the Congress of Vienna in 1814, and was subjected to the Province of Chiavari under the division of Genoa. From 1859 to 1926, the territory of Zoagli was included in the V mandamento of Rapallo of the Chiavari district of the then province of Genoa.
Silk trade
Zoagli was one of the most important commercial centers in the region thanks to the production of silk. Many Zoagli families, in fact, devoted themselves to the production of silk yarns, and this activity became the cornerstone of the local economy. Moreover, Zoagli was a mandatory crossing point for goods that were transported from France to Italy through Colle di Cadibona.
The production of silk continued until the end of the 19th century when the disease of the silkworm and the competition of artificial yarns led to the end of this activity. Since then, Zoagli has transformed into a very popular tourist resort, thanks to its natural beauties and its strategic position between the mountains and the sea.
Conclusions
Zoagli is an ideal destination for summer vacations or a relaxing weekend. The town offers many activities and attractions, such as walking along the pedestrian cliff, walking in the wooded paths, and hiking to the five bell towers. Moreover, Zoagli is famous for its cuisine, with traditional dishes such as focaccia, pesto trofie, and trenette with sauce.
The village is easily reachable by car or train, with the train station situated a few minutes walk from the sea. If you are looking for a quiet and suggestive destination on the Ligurian coast, Zoagli is the right choice!
